Self-locking snap-on container cap



Sept. 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12, 1960 INVENTORJ jt'ymund-f. [delslane y Jack 4. 143.5

4 ZI M #f I W w H u w I, H! M Mr, H a

1*- 22, 5 s E. EDELSTONE ETAI. 3,149,745

' SELF-LOCKING SNAP-0N CONTAINER CAP Filed May 12. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 52w? Jiymu'nal e 3 one 5! v BY Jack Q. Z035 United States Patent 3,14,745 SELF-LOCKING SNAP-ON CONTAINER CAP Sigmund E. Edelstone and Jack A. Liss, Chicago, 111., assignors to Spra-Lok Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 12, 1960, Ser. No. 28,647 11 Claims. (Cl. 220-60) This invention relates to container caps which automatically snap onto containers in locked engagement therewith and which are removable from the containers only by authorized access through an opening in the cap that is adapted to be sealed for preventing unauthorized access. Specifically this invention relates to a container cap having an inner lock that automatically snaps onto a container and is expansible into unlocked position only by means inserted through an access hole in the outer wall of the cap.

A feature of this invention is the integration of a container cap and cap lock to provide a one-piece or integrated cap unit that will snap lock on a container and be expanded off of the container by a prodding implement inserted through an access hole in the cap wall.

A specific feature of the invention is the provision of a container cap with an inner split lock adapted to be snapped onto a rim of the container to lockingly engage a shoulder under this rim and having spreading means accessible from an opening in the outer wall of the cap to expand the lock off of the rim.

In the hereinafter specifically described embodiments of this invention the container cap is assembled on a spray dispensing aerosol can with a valve cup providing the rim and shoulder receiving the cap lock, but it should be understood that this invention is not limited to these specifically described embodiments because the principles of this invention are generally applicable to locking type container closures. Therefore this invention is not limited to the hereinafter described specific embodiments.

Spray dispensing aerosol containers are somewhat of an attractive nuisance to shoppers and especially to children who are very prone to remove the container cap and depress the spring releasing valve, thereby wasting the contents of the container and possibly damaging surrounding merchandise. This invention now provides an attractive container cap with an internal snap lock and an external access hole that can be closed with a puncturable seal and through which a key, pencil, nail, or the like implement can be inserted for expanding the lock off of the container. The lock is part of the cap and the cap can be a one-piece molded plastic unit, an integrated assembly of inner and outer metal cups, or the like. The cap has an outer side wall equipped with a slot or hole that is initially covered with a puncturable seal such as a paper or metal foil cover. Inside of the side Wall of the cap and depending from the dome or end wall of the cap there is provided a split expansible resilient member which fits snugly over the valve cup rim of the aerosol container and snaps under the shoulder provided by this rim. .This inner lock member preferably has lugs or flanges adjacent the split gap thereof which are engageable from the hole in the side wall of the cap. When a key or the like is pushed between these lugs, the inner lock member is easily expanded off of the valve cup rim to permit removal of the cap.

It is then an object of this invention to provide a selflocking snap-on container cap which is unlocked through an access hole in an exterior wall of the cap.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container cap with an integrated self-locking snap-on memher.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a com- 3,149,745 Patented Sept. 22, 1964 tainer cap with an inner cup adapted to snap onto the rim of a container in locked engagement with a shoulder provided by the rim and adapted to be released from the shoulder and rim by a prodding implement inserted through an opening in the outer wall of the cap.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a cup-like container cap with an inner cup that is split and provided with an inturned bead for snap looking on the rim of a container.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a one-piece molded plastic cap including an outer cup and an inner split cup or thimble having an inturned bead for locking onto a shoulder provided by a container and for release from the shoulder when the inner cup is expanded.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a self-locking container cap for aerosol containers including an integral split thimble with an inturned bead adapted to lock on the valve cup of the container.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a self-locking snap-on container cap with legs depending from the dome thereof carrying an intergral locking ring adapted to snap over and lock into the valve cup of an aerosol container.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred examples only, illustrate several embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational View of an aerosol can closed by a self-locking snap-on container cap of this invention and illustrating the sealed access hole in the side wall of the cap;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross sectional view along the line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2 with the seal omitted;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross sectional view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the manner in which the lock is opened by a key inserted through the puncturable seal on the side wall of the cap;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar .to FIG. 2 but illustrating a modified inner lock arrangement wherein the lock member is supported on a plurality of legs de pending from the dome of the cap;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse cross sectional view along the line VIIVII of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional View along the line VIII-VII-I of FIG. 6;

FIGURE 9 is a View similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a further embodiment of the invention wherein the cap is composed of an outer metal cup and an inner metal thimble or cup in integrated assembly;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along the line X-X of FIG; 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view with parts broken away, taken along the line XIXI of FIG. 9.

As shown on the drawings:

In FIGS. 1 to 5 the aerosol can and cap assembly 10 includes a spray dispensing aerosol can 11 and a molded plastic large diameter self-locking snap-on container cap 12 of this invention.

Asbest shown in FIG. 2 the can 11 has a cylindrical body 13 with adorned end head 14 crimped to the top of the can and providing an outturned rim 15 and an annular well 16 surrounded by the rim. The dome of the end head 14 has a fragmental spherical main body portion 17 which rises from the well 16 to a small diameter top opening at a level above the top of the can body 13. The open top of the domed portion has an outturned beaded rim 18. A valve cup 19 is inserted in the open top of the dome and is crimped around the head 18 to provide a peripheral rim 2% terminating in a skirt with a bottom edge 21 forming an annular shoulder facing downwardly toward the well 16 and surrounding the top of the dome. This valve cup carries a spray valve assembly with a projecting head 22 that can be depressed to release the contents of the can through an orifice 23 in the head.

The cap 12 has a cylindrical side wall 2d sized to snugly fit in the well 16 in frictional engagement with the crimped portion 15, The cap has a flat top wall 25 sufficiently spaced above the valve head 22 when the side wall 24 1s bottomed in the well 16 so as not to engage the valve head.

An integral inner cylindrical thirnble or cup 26 depends from the top wall 25 in spaced concentric relation inward ly from the side Wall 24. This thimble 26 is vertically split at 27 along substantially the entire length thereof.

The bottom of the thimble 26 carries in integral or al'fixed relation thereto a ring or head 28 somewhat thicker than the thimble and having an inturned flange 29 at the bottom end of the thirnble. This bead 2% also has outturned thickened lugs 3t"; on opposite sides of the slot 27.

The thimble 26 is sized to snugly embrace the skirt of the valve cup periphery ill and the flange 29 is adapted to project under the shoulder 21 in abutting engagement therewith.

The side wall 24 of the cap has a slot 31 extending from the bottom thereof in alignment with the lugs 23% to a level above the lugs for providing ready access to the lugs. This slot 31 is closed by a puncturable seal 32 composed of paper, metal foil or the like and adhesively secured to the side wall 24.

When the cap 12 is applied to the can ll to seat the side wall 24 of the cap in the well 16, the inner thimble 26 will position the inturned flange 2 on the bottom end thereof to ride over the 2d of the valve cup with the slot 27 accommodating expansion of the flange 29. As soon as the flange 25) passes beyond the skirt of the valve cup rin 20 it will snap under the shoulder .21 to reclaim its normal unstressed position. It will of course be understood that the plastic material forming the thimble 25 turd the head 23 is resilient enough to accommodate expansion of the flange for riding over the skirt. The cap is thereupon locked to the can and although the cap may be rotated relative to the can it cannot be removed by such rotation.

When authorized removal of the cap 12 is desired, a key 33 such as shown in FlG. 5, is used to puncture the seal 32 and to project into the slot 27 between the lugs S ll whereupon the lugs may be spread apart to increase the width of the slot 27 and to unseat theflange 29 off or the valve cup shoulder. The cap is then easily tilted oil of the container.

When it is desired to again reapply the cap, it will snap into the locked position of FIG. 2 and can again be released by the key 33 as shown in FIG. 5.

Many different types of molded plastic materials can be used to form the cap 12, the only requirements being that the material be rigid enough to resist unauthorized deformation and resilient enough to accommodate authorized expansion of the inner thimble. Plastics such as the polystyrene resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, the acrylic resins, the hardened vulcanized natural and synthetic rubbers, and the like are useful.

In the embodiment shown in FiGS. 6 to 8 parts identical with parts described in FIGS. 1 to have been marked with the same reference numerals. in FlGS. 6 to 8 a modified plastic cap 12:: is provided in that the inner thimble 2a of the cap 1.2 is replaced with four depending legs 45) carrying in integral relation therewith at their bottom ends a split locking ring il. The top wall 25 of the cap 124: has apertures inwardly from each leg m t ll accommodate integral molding of the legs through the use of molding injector pins as is understood in the art. The locking ring ll has an internal periphery 43 sized for snugly embracing the skirt of the valve cup bead or rim 2a and an inturned flange 44 on the bottom thereof projecting under the shoulder 21 of the valve cup skirt in locked engagement therewith. The ring is split at 45 and has outturned lugs 46 on each side of the split aligned with the slotted opening 31 in the side wall 24 of the cap.

The cap 3.2a operates in the same manner as the cap l2 and the legs at) serve the same function as the cylindrical thimble 26.

in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 11 parts identical with parts described in FIGS. 1 to 5 have also been marked with the same reference numerals. In FIG. 11 a modified cap 12b is composed of metal and includes the outer cylindrical cup with the cylindrical side wall 24 and the flat top wall 25 the same as the cap 12. An inner metal cup 56 is provided in place of the integral plastic thimble 26 or the legs 4:3. This internal metal cup 59 has a top wall 51 integrally aftixed to the top wall 25 of the outer cup and a split cylindrical side wall 52 of a diameter sized for snugly embracing the skirt of the valve cup rim 2%. A slot 53 extends along the full length of the side wall 52 and is preferably bounded by outturned lips or flanges 54 as shown in FIG. 10.

The bottom of the side wall 52 has an inturned flange 55 adapted to snap under the shoulder 21 of the valve cup rim in the same manner as described above.

As shown in FIG. 11 the slotted opening 31 in the side Wall 24 of the cap extends to a level above the bottom of the slot 53 in the inner cup 5t so that the lips 54 are readily engageable through the slot 31 by a key or the like to spread the cup and move the inturned flange 55 oil of the shoulder 21. The cap 1212 thereby operates in the identical manner of the caps 12 and 1251.

instead of providing the inner cup 54 with a top wall 51 that is overlapped by the top wall 25 of the outer cup 1211, this top Wall 51 can be projected through an opening in the top wall 25 and form the top wall for the assembly. in this arrangement the inner cup will have its top wall spun over a rim provided by the centrally apertured wall 25 of the outer cup.

From the above descriptions it will therefore be understood that this invention now provides self-locking snapon container caps which are unlocked through access holes in the caps adapted to receive an implement that will spread the lock oil of the container. The container caps include inner cup membersor the like carrying a locking flange adapted to snap over a rim on the container and engage a shoulder provided by this rim.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In combination with a container having an end wall with a 'rim portion providing a shoulder and a well portion outwardly from said shoulder, a cap covering said end wall of the container having a side wall bottomed in said well and an integral internal split annular lock embracing said rim and underlying said shoulder, said side wall of the cap having an access opening therethrough adjacent the split portion of said lock and said split portion of said lock having means thereon engageable with an implement inserted through said access hole for spreading the lock oil of said shoulder to accommodate removal of the cap from the container.

2. In combination with a container having an end wall with an upstanding rim providing a downwardly facing shoulder and a surrounding cap receiving well, a cap'having an outer side wall seating in said well and an integral split resilient loci; having a flange embracing said rim and snapping under said shoulder when the cap is applied to the container, said side wall of the cap having an access hole therethrough aligned with the split portion .of the lock, and said split portion of the lock having opposed surfaces engageable with an implement inserted through said access hole for spreading the lock off of the shoulder to permit removal of the cap.

3. A one-piece self-locking snap-on container cap which comprises an outer cup member adapted to close the end of the container, an inner cup member in spaced relation inside of said outer cup member, said inner cup member being split and having an inturned flange around the bottom thereof adapted to lockingly engage a shoulder on a container, and said outer cap having an opening giving access to the split portion of the inner cup for spreading the flange off of the container shoulder.

4. A snap-on self-locking container cap which comprises an outer cup having an access hole therethrough adapted to be closed with a puncturable seal, an inner cup in spaced concentric relation inside said outer cup and having an inturned locking flange, said inner cup being split and sufliciently resilient to accommodate expansion of the locking flange, and means on the inner cup adjacent the split portion thereof accessible from said opening in the outer cup for expanding the flange to accommodate removal of the cap.

5. A one-piece molded plastic self-locking snap-on container cap Which comprises a cup shaped member having an end wall and a cylindrical side wall, circumferentially spaced legs depending from said end wall inside of said cap, a locking ring carried by said legs, said locking ring being split, and an access hole in said cap adjacent the split portion of the locking ring for accommodating insertion of an implement to spread the locking ring for unlocking the cap.

6. A metal snap-on self-locking container cap which comprises an outer cup shaped member having a cylindrical side Wall adapted to fit in a well of a container and an end wall, an inner cup carried by said end wall in spaced concentric relation from said side wall, said inner cup being split along the length thereof, said inner cup having an inturned flange around the bottom thereof, and said outer side wall having an access hole therethrough adjacent the split portion of the inner cup for spreading the inner cup to remove the inturned flange thereof from locking engagement with a container.

7. A container cap for closing the end of a container having a rim providing a shoulder which comprises a cupshaped member having a top and a side wall for covering the end of a container, a hole in said side wall, a puncturable seal covering said hole, a resilient split lock ring integrally secured to said top of said annual member and depending therefrom inside of said side wall, said ring having an inturned flange adapted to snap lock under the shoulder of a container having a shoulder defining rim, said ring having the split portion thereof opposite said hole in said side wall to be engaged by means pushed through said seal to expand the ring for moving the flange ofi of the shoulder provided by the rim of the container.

8. A one-piece molded plastic seal-locking snap-on container cap which comprises a cup-shaped member having a top wall portion and a side wall portion, a resilient split lock ring integral with said top wall and depending therefrom inside of said side wall, said ring having an inturned flange, and said side wall having an access hole adjacent the split portion of the locking ring for accommodating insertion of an implement to spread the locking ring for unlocking the cap.

9. A one-piece locking cap for spray cans and the like comprising an outer sleeve, a top and a flexible inner tubular member positioned within the outer sleeve and depending from the top, said inner tubular member having a locking lip about the inner circumference and spaced vertical distending ribs defining an opening in the wall of the inner tubular member; the inner tubular member and the locking lip dimensions correlated to the container to which it is adapted, and a key way positioned in said sleeve in alignment with the vertical distending ribs on the inner tubular member.

10. Acne-piece locking cap for spray cans and the like comprising an outer sleeve, a top and an inner flexible tubular member positioned within the outer sleeve and depending from the top, said inner tubular member having a continuous locking lip section about the inner circumference and spaced vertical distending ribs defining an opening in the wall of the inner tubular member; the inner tubular member and the continuous locking lip section dimensions correlated to the container to which it is adapted; the height and contour of said outer sleeve correlated to the container to which it is adapted, and a key Way positioned in said outer sleeve in alignment with the vertical distending ribs on the inner cylindrical member, said top connecting the inner tubular member and outer sleeve.

11. In combination, a spray can having a spray nozzle, a collar positioned about the spray nozzle and a shoulder; and a one piece locking cap comprising an outer sleeve, a top and an inner flexible tubular member positioned within the outer sleeve and depending from the top, said inner tubular member having a locking lip about the inner circumference and spaced vertical distending ribs defining an opening in the Wall of the inner tubular member; the inner tubular member and locking lip dimensions correlated to the container to which it is adapted; the height and contour of said outer sleeve correlated to the container to which it is adapted, and a key Way positioned in said outer sleeve in alignment with the vertical distending ribs on the imier cylindrical member, and said top connecting the inner tubular member and outer sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 833,446 Degener Oct. 16, 1906 

2. IN COMBINATION WITH A CONTAINER HAVING AN END WALL WITH AN UPSTANDING RIM PROVIDING A DOWNWARDLY FACING SHOULDER AND A SURROUNDING CAP RECEIVING WELL, A CAP HAVING AN OUTER SIDE WALL SEATING IN SAID WELL AND AN INTEGRAL SPLIT RESILIENT LOCK HAVING AFLANGE EMBRACING SAID RIM AND SNAPPING UNDER SAID SHOULDER WHEN THE CAP IS APPLIED TO THE CONTAINER, SAID SIDE WALL OF THE CAP HAVING AN ACCESS HOLE THERETHROUGH ALIGNED WITH THE SPLIT PORTION OF THE LOCK, AND SAID SPLIT PORTION OF THE LOCK HAVING OPPOSED SURFACES ENGAGEABLE WITH AN IMPLEMENT INSERTED THROUGH SAID ACCESS HOLE FOR SPREADING THE LOCK OFF OF THE SHOULDER TO PERMIT REMOVAL OF THE CAP. 